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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 12 2011, 10:14 AM EST | LJ126 | 23 words added, 3 words deleted, 3 photos added, 1 photo deleted |
| Dec 12 2011, 9:04 AM EST | Jahadaz | 3 words added, 2 words deleted, 6 photos added, 6 photos deleted |
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Gear Donated by Critical Survival LLC - Thank you again guys!
 | 4624 Cypress Creek Pkwy Houston, TX 77069 (832) 286-1441 www.CriticalSurvival.net |  |
I've got to say from the beginning that I'm not a fan of matches. I've never found them to have more uses
than a regular cigarette lighter and I've consistently found that a lighter will last much longer. Don't get me wrong, matches have their place. It's just that their place is normally sitting in between a blackjack hand and my drink at the casino. When it comes to survival I've never trusted matches. I'd rather pack a half a dozen railroad flares. At least then I know I'll have a chance at starting the fire that could potentially save my life. That was until I got to take a close look at these. The folks at Industrial Revolution have truly lived up to their name. These matches are revolutionary in every sense of the word.
Specs -
2 boxes - 25 Matches each
2.75" length
15 second burn time
4 Spare Strikers
Cost -
5.99$5.99 USD
The first impression I had upon receiving this was "great, more matches".
They came two boxes to a pack. So that's 50 survival matches for the fair price of six dollars. The packing that held the two boxes together wasn't exceptional. Just a plastic bag stapled together at the ends. As I opened it up and held the first box I realized something. This box is printed on wax paper. What? Not only is it printed on wax paper, it's got tight seals. A little water resistant protection goes a long way in my book. Then I opened up the box and was further pleased to find that my new matches were in yet another plastic bag, folded over at the end.
2 boxes - 25 Matches each
2.75" length
15 second burn time
4 Spare Strikers
Cost -
5.99$5.99 USD
The first impression I had upon receiving this was "great, more matches". They came two boxes to a pack. So that's 50 survival matches for the fair price of six dollars. The packing that held the two boxes together wasn't exceptional. Just a plastic bag stapled together at the ends. As I opened it up and held the first box I realized something. This box is printed on wax paper. What? Not only is it printed on wax paper, it's got tight seals. A little water resistant protection goes a long way in my book. Then I opened up the box and was further pleased to find that my new matches were in yet another plastic bag, folded over at the end.
That's three layers of water resistant coating before
you get to the matches.
The matches themselves were of sturdy construction and after the entire box had been lit in a few different conditions I am happy to announce that not a single matchstick broke while on the striker surface. That's a first for me. Remember that I'm not a huge fan of matches and this is one of the main reasons why. Your hands are cold and shivering, wouldn't you know it? Your last match has broken in half. Not with these puppies.
Being under a deadline I wasn't able to wait for the next storm but I was able to simulate one by having my
friend drive down the road in heavy fog at sixty miles an hour and while I hung out the window lighting
matches. First of all, freezing fog (27 degrees) at those speeds is miserable. If you live in that region of
the country I feel your pain.
But I was further impressed. Every single time I struck the match it lit! Even more impressive, we timed the burn time and it was technically more than 15 seconds in sixty mile an hour winds! It was closer to 15.75 seconds. That means that the 15 second advertised burn time is legit and in heavy storm conditions to boot. Keep in mind that the match does need to be held vertically for this full burn time to happen. If the match is held horizontally the burn time will be considerably shortened.
Now on to the neatest little piece of this package. The extra striker packs. They come in a sealed plastic bag so if your box does manage to become completely inundated with water, you still have a dry strike surface. Now remember that these are NOT strike anywhere matches and you will need to have a strike surface that is designed for matches. Otherwise you only have some pretty toothpicks. So this really is an important piece of the package. This is when the just in case scenario comes into play. 
So here's a quick recap. What we have here is a modern update of an old (mid 1800's) design for a reasonable price. Personally I think these would be well suited for backpackers, but I wouldn't be surprised to find them in more than a few boat's "ditch bags". These were obviously designed with the expectation that people will use them in situations that are not considered idea. An essential for any survivalist who knows that while we appreciate things to work when it's a nice warm 72 degrees, we need them to work when nothing else will. ~Jahadaz
